Bury St Edmunds Christmas lights switch on at arc Shopping Centre set to kick off festive fun on November 14

Festive fun will kick off in Bury St Edmunds next month with the annual Christmas lights switch on.

The town centre event, organised by Our Bury St Edmunds Business Improvement District (BID), will start at 3pm on Thursday, November 14 with performances from local schools outside Moyse’s Hall Museum, running until 8pm.

Taking the stage will also be a magician, characters from the Theatre Royal pantomime Aladdin and St Mary’s Church choir.

There will also be a chance to meet some favourite seasonal characters, including the Snow Queen, the Ice Princess as well as Santa with his sleigh and elves.

Mark Cordell, chief executive of BID, said: “Every year we like to bring something different to our Christmas Lights Event and this year is no exception as we welcome the stunning Snow Lion and the Red Queen as well as a number of other characters and entertainers.

“It’s a lovely reason to spend some time in town, perhaps do some shopping, have something to eat or drink or just enjoy the attractions and fairground rides.”

Stalls featuring food and drink, crafts and gifts will be set up at the Cornhill and Buttermarket.

Little ones will also be able to enjoy fairground rides, including the Ferris wheel and a helter-skelter.

The arc Shopping Centre has also organised a host of activities in Charter Square, including illuminated performances by Snow Showgirls as well as glitter artists who will be painting faces in exchange for donations to the arc’s Charity of the Year, Bury St Edmunds Rickshaw.

There will be a chance to win a £50 voucher, which can be redeemed at any of the arc’s stores.

Street closures will be in place at the Buttermarket, Cornhill, Abbeygate Street, Skinner Street and The Traverse from 6pm on Wednesday, November 13 to 10pm on Thursday, November 14.